By: Shea O’Malley
OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Legislature held its meeting yesterday, May 14 via video conference, when the legislators discussed the salaries of newly appointed Department of Social Services employees and rescinding alternative allocation of pilot funds to the Industrial Development Agency.
Chairman James Weatherup called for a moment of silence for community members who have succumbed to COVID-19. Minutes from last month’s meeting were approved, with no reports from county officials, special or standing committees.
During the meeting, concerns over Resolutions HS-1 and HS-2 were raised by Legislator Marie Schadt over the appointment of county personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both resolutions authorize the salaries of important positions within the Department of Social Services.
- Resolution HS-1 (Res. 95) authorizes the budgeted salary of $63,200 for the newly appointed Coordinator of Client Services Rachel Pierce, to replace current Director Christine Weaver, who is retiring at the end of June.
- Resolution HS-2 (Res. 96) sets the salary of the newly appointed Director of Social Services Sara Finley, at $71,190, beginning May 4, 2020.
“I feel we should follow the direction of Syracuse University and SUNY Oswego and just freeze everything for at least 60 days across the board,” Schadt said. “Make no decisions regarding moving anyone up, down, anything; just freeze for the moment. I feel that’s reasonable.”
Legislator Roy Reehil, sponsor of the resolution, talked about the year-long process it took in getting the employee sufficiently trained to fill the post, also mentioning a lowered salary cap for the incoming director.
“These are important positions as we try to get back work in the county to help our employers get folks into their jobs, and so I encourage us to go ahead and vote yes to this,” Reehil said.
Schadt expressed further concerns about both resolutions, pointing out financial and personal responsibility on the part of the legislature.
Reehil referred to the savings gained by filling these positions, thus eliminating three other vacancies within DSS, leading to a cumulative savings of $50,300.
The legislature voted to amend HS-2 (Res. 96), with, Legislator Thomas Drumm asking to table the resolution until next month. Motion to table was seconded by Schadt. The amendment passed, the vote to table was struck down, and the resolution passed.
Resolution EP-1 (Res. 98) was also discussed during the meeting. Legislator Tim Stahl proposed Resolution EP-1 to bring money back into the county budget from the Industrial Development Agency (IDA), for county improvements.
The Oswego County IDA has managed proceeds from a 10% contractual payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) agreements, to support an Economic Development Fund since 2004.
“The Resolution proposes to bring money back into the county to be used for economic development purposes,” Stahl said. “Specifically, to be used toward that 5%, which is the amount we the county have to pay toward the Resilient Economic Development Initiative Grant.”
Legislator Morris Sorbello said why he felt the plan needed to stay in place, citing the IDA’s job creations, COVID-19 funding and ongoing community projects.
“I think it’s a good plan and it’s done a great job,” Sorbello said.
Schadt said Oswego was one of the last three counties operating under the IDA plan, adding change was needed and that she stood in support of the resolution.
“I do want to thank the folks at the IDA for all the work that they’ve done throughout the years and will continue to do, and through that money in the past, but I think this is a good use of that funding and I support this,” Stahl said.
Resolution EP-1 was passed.
In miscellaneous business, Chairman James Weatherup spoke concerning the Phase I reopening of Oswego County, stating the county has met all seven of the seven metric criteria for New York state’s reopening plan.
“The process continues; the testing continues,” Weatherup said. “It’s still a challenge. Our EMO Office with Renee Fox is daily asking for more test kits so we can maintain our testing regimen, so that we can keep open and get to the next phase. Moving on, it’s good news. It’s starting to look like there may be a summer.”
All county legislature meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month.
The full agenda can be found here and the video of the meeting is below.
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